Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) Given Consensus Rating of "Hold" by Analysts

Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Hold" by the nineteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $78.36.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on EQR shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on Equity Residential from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Equity Residential from $77.00 to $75.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Equity Residential from $78.00 to $74.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th.

Equity Residential Price Performance

EQR traded up $0.87 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $70.61. 2,584,176 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,491,875. Equity Residential has a 1-year low of $57.33 and a 1-year high of $78.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.13 and a quick ratio of 0.13. The business's 50-day moving average price is $71.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.79 billion, a PE ratio of 28.94, a P/E/G ratio of 4.21 and a beta of 0.93.

Equity Residential Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.82%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. Equity Residential's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 110.66%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equity Residential

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Equity Residential during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Equity Residential in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 2,529.4% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 447 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in Equity Residential during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in Equity Residential by 69.6% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 475 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. 92.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Equity Residential Company Profile

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.